The 3rd Sakura Science Club Thailand Meeting Definitely Revived Ties
“Bring Us Together: Reconnecting and Inspiring”

Following the November 2020 online reunion, “Sakura Science Club Thailand (SSCT) Alumni Meeting” was held onsite at Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel, in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, February 18, 2023. A total of 97 guests gathered at the venue. Japan Science Technology Agency (JST) and the Sakura Science Club (SSC) Secretariat thank all Sakura Science Club Thailand (SSCT) coordinators from the bottom of our hearts. The coordinators in different parts of Thailand frequently met online to prepare thoroughly. All of their efforts culminated in the perfect execution of the event. Below, we bring SSCT Chief Coordinator, Dr. Orawan Sriboonruang’s account of the event.

The alumni meeting was kicked off by the opening session by Ms. Kansiripak Muangnoycharoen as the event’s master of ceremony (MC). The MC warmly greeted the distinguished guest and all attendees.

< Opening Session >

The session is followed by greeting speeches. First, from SSCT coordinators, led by Dr. Orawan Sriboonruang as the President of Sakura Science Club Thailand and Chief of Thai Coordinator, welcoming the attendees.

Through this speech, Dr. Sriboonruang highlighted some key points including how the Sakura Science Program (SSP) gave fond memories and how this gathering aimed to reconnect and tighten alumni relation, and how success of SSCT depends on alumni participation.

As the President of Sakura Science Club Thailand and Chief of Thai Coordinators, she deeply welcomed honourable guests represented as the witness to the 3rd Alumni Meeting under the theme "Bring Us Together: Reconnecting and Inspiring" in commemoration of the 50th Year of ASEAN - Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

She underlined that the Sakura Science Exchange Program (SSP), the Sakura Science Club Thailand (SSCT) with the support of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), this meeting served as the platform to provide the interconnection with building the rapport among Thai-Japanese researchers, educators, students, across countries in various fields.

At this moment, Dr. Sriboonruang introduced the SSCT coordinators to the attendees so that the alumni can be more familiar and be able to work together with them in the upcoming year. She also acknowledged the full support from JST and JISTEC for the opportunity to hold the third alumni meeting.　

Next, Mr. Kazuhiko Aoki (Sakura Science Headquarters, JST) delivered the second speech in which he appreciated the attendees’ participation. He introduced the fact that “JST has invited over 3500 students and researchers from Thailand to participated in the various schemes of Sakura Science,” and that “JST is committed to support young people who can innovate in science and technology.” He also pointed out JST’s hopes for the alumni and Japan to stay connected.

After JST’s greeting, the message from Mr. Takeshi Uchida, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Thailand was given. Mr. Uchida mentioned how programs can build motivation in the field of research. He also pointed out that the student exchange programs are natural means to stimulate learning and intellectual curiosity of students at a practical level. Moreover, they are meaningful in strengthening the feeling of friendship and bonding between our two countries.

Dr. Thira Bhawangkannatha, Deputy Secretary-General of Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Thailand, was the last honourable guest who greeted the alumni. He pointed out that JST is giving many experiences to Thai students. In addition to JST, OBEC also had the privilege of working with other Japanese organizations, such as JICA and JASSO, which have provided valuable support to our education system. Last but not least, he expressed sincere appreciation to the JST organizer, Thai coordinators, and SSCT members for their full support in holding this meeting.

With the guidance from the MCs, all attendees gathered for group photos with the distinguished guests.

< Keynote Session >

Dr. Orawan Sriboonruang as Moderator of this session, began the session. She introduced the Keynotes Speakers, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norraphat Srimanobhas and Prof. Dr. Sanipa Suradhat from Chulalongkorn University. Then she invited the first speaker on the stage to deliver the presentation.

The first keynote was presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norraphat Srimanobhas from the department of physics, faculty of science. He explained about CERN facility which he has been appointed as the management board of CMS collaboration since 2018. The objective of CMS collaboration is to assist scientist to pursue the questions regarding the meaning of life (Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?), to explore into scales smaller than atoms and inevitably to the realm of high energy physics (HEP).

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norraphat emphasized that collaboration is crucial and it is what drive research, technology, innovation, education and training.

“You can be happy when you do what you love even though there’s a lot of pressure.”

The second keynote was presented by Prof. Dr. Sanipa Suradhat, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University (CUVET).

Several research collaborations have been conducted between Japan (Tokushima University, Yamaguchi University, East Asia, The University of Tokyo, Tohoku University) and CUVET (the Department of Pathology (Parasitology), Physiology, Animal Husbandry and Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction).

From 2014 to 2019, seven faculty members of CUVET have been invited by Azabu University to participate in the International Veterinary Sakura Science Program for networking on infectious diseases, in which participants from more than 20 countries were invited.

Past and present collaborations between CUVET and Japan are more focused on the development of students and faculty staff, research collaboration, and institutional capacity building. Further collaborations between CUVET and Japan should expand under the concept of One Health. One Health is an integrated approach that concerns animal, human, and environmental health. This approach can be used to improve the health of humans and animals and to address complex health issues.

< Sharing Session >

The next session was the alumni talk show, moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Nopphon Weeranoppanant that invited three inspiring alumni.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nopphon welcomed the speakers Ms. Jintanant Tohtubiang (SSP 2022, Dr. Toungporn Uttarotai (SSP 2018) and Prof. Panmanas Sirisomboon (SSP 2016) to the stage. Each speaker gave a five minutes presentation about their experience and benefit gained from SSP.

After the brief presentations from each speaker, the talk show continued with a discussion.

panel discussion slides 　https://youtu.be/0GJByA9OAMk

< Introduction to Study in Japan >

Ms. Nampeung Samadeh, educational advisor of the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), gave an introduction to study in Japan. The introduction covered scholarship and requirements for study in Japan. This topic attracted a lot of attention from the event participants.

< Closing Session >

Mr. Ken Fujita, Program Coordinator, Sakura Science Program Headquarters, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), delivered his deep appreciation to all alumni’s participation and the mutually beneficial exchange.

He highlighted that the main purpose of today's event is to promote friendly relationships among SSC members and to bind your hearts more closely than ever based on the theme of the event, which is “Bring Us Together: Reconnecting and Inspiring.” Through today’s alumni meeting, we expected our network to strengthen in the future, and SSC members to be encouraged to come to Japan again as students, researchers, or businesspersons as well.

Mr Fujita thanked to guest speakers, keynote speakers, panellists, and Thai coordinators who dedicated their time to the event, as well as everyone involved in planning and having this event.

Dr. Orawan Sriboonruang, as the President of Sakura Science Club Thailand and Chief of Thai Coordinators, was on the stage and delivered the Closing Remarks with expressing her gratitude and high appreciation to the Ministry of Education of Thailand, Embassy of Japan in Thailand, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and Japan International Science and Technology Exchange Center (JISTEC).

She deeply thanked to the Keynote speakers, Panellists and all the Sakura Science Club Thailand (SSCT) members, especially, to all Thai coordinators who worked hard, side by side with JST and JISTEC team to make the 3^rd Alumni Meeting a success and for being the witness of our 50^th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. She wished to reconnect again for the 4^th Alumni Meeting.

< Alumni Networking Session >

The main activity beginning with a Lucky Wheel Game and quiz asking questions about SSP successfully built an excitement among all alumni. The winner received a special gift from Japan. Overall, all alumni were superbly excited with the game.

After the games, the atmosphere was so much more lightened and smiles were all over alumni faces. The event continued to the Buffet Dinner where the alumni enjoyed the meal while casually talking and sharing the moment.

On behalf the event’s committee, Dr. Somporn Peansukmanee and Dr. Siwat Lawanwadeekul thanked all the SSCT alumni for their participation and effort.

< Appendix: Alumni Meeting Documentation >